Photo Flash: 'Frankenstein the Musical' CD Release Party

Last season, Mary Shelley’s novel was reborn as a highly anticipated new musical opening at off-Broadway’s 37 Arts. On Thursday, September 4th, company members of Frankenstein reunited for a CD release celebration at The Irish Rouge located at 365 West 44th St.

The recording preserves the performances of the original off-Broadway cast including Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster (Little Shop of Horrors, Urinetown, The Producers) as Victor Frankenstein, Christiane Noll (Jekyll & Hyde) as Elizabeth, Steve Blanchard (Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol) as The Creature, Jim Stanek (Jacques Brel…, I Love You You’re Perfect….) as Henry and Mandy Bruno (Broadway’s Les Miserables, Daytime Emmy Award nominee for Guiding Light) as Justine. Frankenstein features music by Mark Baron, book and lyrics by Jeffrey Jackson and original story adaptation by Gary P. Cohen.

When it opened off-Broadway in November 2008, Gannett Newspapers described Frankenstein as “an elegant production. A large musical in a contemporary Broadway style” with “a score which will put you in mind of Les Miserables." Variety called Frankenstein “a first-class production.” WCBS-TV called the show “thrilling” with “a wonderful cast,” while the Associated Press said the cast is “universally talented. Hunter Foster is completely captivating. Christiane Noll is the perfect mix of strength and vulnerability with a rich and enveloping soprano. Steve Blanchard commands the stage.”

An extension of Sh-K-Boom & Ghostlight Records, Friends of Ghostlight was established to help distribute independently-produced musical theater recordings and solo albums to the world. Label president Kurt Deutsch says, "There are so many great musical theater projects out there at any given time that it would be impossible for us to produce every cast album. But we're fortunate that we have the ability to bring these recordings to a large audience through the Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight community. Part of the reason that Sherie and I started our record label was to help the preservation of recordings at every level. We hope that through this program we can allow recordings that were independently produced and financed to reach a wider audience and a continue to have a long life."